




.^* Z^-- %,/ y^^, \,<^ :^\ \/ 






y^. 











- '^^ % 



„0 ^ »■'%«"",♦ <,K cv 




0^ t'r.'i*' ^^^ ,%-..- 



-^^ 
^^. .-2^' 



V\*r^'* "c;^ ^0^ ^^-V' ^ 







^^0^ 

5^^ 











^^°^ 



;♦ ^y o. '? 



'bV 




,Ho*. 



V''-"\**' '°*'--^'\o' \.**'^"'\/. ''''^ 

5? »i 







/.C^^^'^^o 









,*" 



* • , « ' .0 ^A * • 1 1 • .«»^ O. ♦ o , o ' .U 



^°'*-. 









b2S 



Copyright 1912 
Marvin M. Taylor 



3Bp jMarbin jW- tCaplor 






Privately Printed 

by the Author 

1912 



The Davis Press 
Worcester, Mass. 



0fo 

©CU330177 



TO 

ALL THOSE 
WHO, WHEN THEY 
RECALL THE SWEET MEMORIES 
OF CHILDHOOD, 
CAN SEE 
THE SNOW CLAD HILLS, THE SHELTERING BARNS, 
THE GOODLY CHEER OF HEARTH AND STALL, 
THE RESTFUL LIFE ON PEACEFUL FARMS, 
WHEN WINTER REIGNS ABOUT THEM ALL, 
THESE LINES 

ARE 
DEDICATED. 



Ijeltereti 



1^ HE snow is winter, — 

Tis not the frost, and not the cold, 
That from the North in legions bold. 
With spears of ice and coats of mail 
That glisten thick with crystal scales, 
Comes rushing down on frosty steeds. 
And nothing fears and nothing heeds! 

Though songsters all by day and night 

To warmer skies have taken flight, 

And frozen are the ground and lake. 

And trees their leafless branches shake 

Impatient of the biting air, 

And to his warm and secret lair 

In holes in ground and holes in trees 



SHELTERED 

Each animal for shelter flees; 
Yet not till down from cold gray skies 
The fleecy whiteness scattering flies, 
And covers all the earth below 
With ermine robe of softest snow, 

Has winter come. 
Though barns are full of summer's yield, 
And cellars heaped with fruit of field, 
And high piled logs with fury blaze 
Within the spacious fireplace; 
Yet not till snow is banked around 
In curving drifts, and all the ground 
Is covered smooth with blanket white 
On which frost=crystals glitter bright, 

Has winter come. 
All din of eager toil is o'er, 
All strife for life is felt no more. 
The feverish pulse of springtime birth 
Now stills in the breast of mother Earth, 



10 



SHELTERED 



And nature, with the year's increase, 
Has won the victory of peace. 

And so had come the drifting snows, 

Bidding all Nature to repose. 

Bringing to root, and branch, and seed. 

That rest and sleep which all things need; 

And over all the frozen land 

Had drawn with swift and gentle hand 

A coverlet of softest down. 

Unlike the rain, whose every drop 
Falls on the earth with vital shock, 
And calls to every sleeping seed 
To wake, to work, to live, to lead. 
Out from the world of buried life 
And into the world of stress and strife. 
New life, new branch, new flower, new fruit. 
Which, in their turn, shall soon recruit 
The mould of earth from which they came, 
From life, through death, to life again. 



11 



SHELTERED 



Thus once again had come the snow, 
And once again the bleak winds blow, 
And pile it deep and pile it high. 
And toss it whirling to the sky, 
And bank it steep against the wall. 
And carve it cunningly withal 
In swirling curves and graceful shapes. 
More beautiful than sculptor makes. 
And whiter than the Parian stone, 
And pure as the golden throne 
Which aged saint, on Patmos* shores. 
Saw through the open heavenly doors. 

See the white flakes in myriads come. 
Like gnomes and elves and fairy sprites. 
In lawless and fantastic flights 
From Thor's cold realm of northern lights; 
And, driven by the harsh commands 
Of freezing winds from Jotun's land. 
Sharp biting with the cruel hate 



12 



SHELTERED 



Of Aesir's ever conquering fate, 
Rush scurrying on, in witcli=like bands, 
TiU in a wide and formless mass 
They fall in resting place at last! 

Or if, perchance, in gentler way 
They float to earth on winter's day, 
A winter shower of crystal rain 
Like a symphony in softest strain^ 
Then, too, their devious journey o'er, 
They pile like sands on ocean shore. 
And, like the sand, each fleecy flake 
From God's own hand a wondrous make, 
More beautiful when closely viewed 
Than graceful spider web bedewed. 

Thus the cold earth that winter's day 
In winter's cold embraces lay; 
When over hills of cheerless white 
The cold sun slowly sank from sight, 



13 



SHELTERED 

And quick, the twilight deepening, 
The freezing night was ushered in. 

Within the farmhouse Typhon reigns 
Though Jotun rules without. In vain 
His icy arrows beat against 

The window panes! 
In vain his frost=bespangled hoards 
Against the weather beaten boards 
And tightly closed and bolted door 
Their harsh, investing legions pour! 

The torrid heat of burning logs, 
Piled high upon the strong iron dogs. 
Beats back the fierce, relentless foe. 
And casts a warm and cheerful glow 
About the room, where calmly sits 
The mother, rocking as she knits. 
And father, o'er the Bible bent, 
Upon its sacred truths intent. 



14 



SHELTERED 

She's thinking of her babes asleep; 

And wonders how their little feet 

Will pass along the ways of life, 

In joy or pain, in peace or strife; 

She trembles for the days to come 

When they'll have left their childhood's home. 

Would gladly keep them where they are. 

And never let them wander far. 

Thus muses, where she calmly sits. 

The mother, rocking as she knits. 

Until the fire's glow ghostly flits 

Across the clock, whose solemn ticks 

Are broken by the strike of nine. 

Then, ere she seeks her peaceful bed, 
By love's divinest prompting led. 
The mother, with her lamp in hand, 
Visits again her precious band 
Of curly heads and chubby cheeks, 



15 



SHELTERED 



Close wrapped in childhood's blissful sleep; 
From bed to crib she softly goes 
And round her darlings tucks the clothes, 
And gives to each the good=night kiss 
Unknown to them, but full of bliss 

To her; 
So, ere the day's work is complete 
And time has come for him to sleep. 
Slowly rising from his seat 
Beside the fire's generous heat. 
The farmer takes his lantern down. 
And, buttoning tight his coat around. 
Visits again the silent barn 
To see if all is safe from harm. 
As out into the night he walks 
Beside him, vast, a giant stalks. 
His shadow, which the lantern throws 
Across the crystal glittering snows; 
Loud creaks the frost upon the ground, 



16 



SHELTERED 



Save this, the silence how profound! 

Where are the myriad noisy throats 
That chanted their unchanging notes 
On summer's night, an orchestra 
Untrained, unled, yet blending strong 
In nature's choir of joyous song? 

Within the barn the sudden light 

Disturbs the watches of the night. 

The mice dart swiftly by his feet 

In prudent flight to safe retreat, 

Or rustle slyly in the bays 

When startled by the lantern's rays; 

While, from his perch upon the beams, 

The cat stares coldly down, and deems 

His plans are thwarted by the light 

Which scares his doomed prey from his sight. 

The dog his master comes to greet 
With stretching salaam at his feet. 



17 



SHELTERED 



And looking up with loving eyes 
He wags his tail in glad surprise. 
No formal salutation this, 
But heartfelt as the lover's tryst; 
His master pats him on the head 
And, thus their mutual greetings said, 
He seeks again his hollowed bed 
Upon the mow of soft green hay. 
Though soon he seems to be asleep. 
One watchful eye he keeps apeep 
Upon his master's devious trail. 
And beats a tattoo with his tail 
Whene're he comes towards his lair, 
Or glances at him lying there. 

Aroused by the lantern light 
Upon their eyrie shining bright. 
Where they sleep snugly, breast to breast. 
In gaily painted feathers dressed, 



18 



SHELTERED 



The hens and cock upon their perch 

Sound cautious croak and timid chirp, 

Save those that undisturbed swing 

With heads tucked close beneath their wings, 

Perhaps of summer dreaming still; 

Just as the ostrich fears no ill, 

When high upon the plain he stands. 

With his head buried in the sands. 

But they are safe and snugly stowed 

Upon their poles of fir=tree bowed. 

And, only glancing at them there. 

He passes quickly on to where 

The cattle, in two facing rows. 

Silent, enjoy their night's repose. 

At rest upon their strawy beds. 

Through stanchions strong their horned heads, 

Well armed for war had they a foe. 

Swing still and gently to and fro 



19 



SHELTERED 



Above the polished feeding floor; 

And alternately o'er and o'er, 

As if on sweetest duty bent, 

They chew their cuds with calm content. 

Though they are bound in stocks of oak. 
They deem it not a prisoner's yoke, 
But well earned shelter, food and care, 
Their just reward and honest share 
For the rich fruit they gladly yield, 
From the green harvests of the field. 
By their mysterious alchemy. 

Before them as their master stands 
With the gleaming lantern in his hands, 
Slight signs of welcome either makes. 
And naught the peaceful silence breaks; 
They, at each other looking, know 
What needs no noisy notes to show. 
Thus dearest friends are wont to meet, 



20 



SHELTERED 



While enemies and strangers greet 
With welcome loud and stately bows, 
As false as cunning courtier's vows. 

Delaying but a moment there, 
Again he breathes the open air. 
Where starry heavens all aglow 
And flashing, gem bespangled snow 
Vie with each other to display 
God's jewelsnever seen by day. 

Close by the barn is the tumbling shed. 
Whose roof sinks low above his head. 
Bent down by weight of storms and years. 
And through whose beams he plainly hears 
The sighing winds, which softly blow 
The whh-ling puffs of sifting snow 
Through every crevice, seam and crack. 
Until, in curious shapes and tracks. 



21 



SHELTERED 



It clings upon each sheltered place, 
And turns a cold and ghostlike face 
To meet the moon's unfeeling stare, 
And breathe the frosty, tingling air. 

Here sheep stand nibbling at their ricks, 
Rough made of rude, bark covered sticks; 
A timid, gentle flock are they. 
Far fallen from the ancient day 
When on the craggy mountain peak. 
Swept by the harsh winds wild and bleak. 
Their fearless fathers made their home, 
Untempted in the vales to roam. 
Cropped high in air the tender grass. 
And breathed the fiercest mountain blasts; 
Now, sheltered by the snow=capped stacks, 
And wool robes thick upon their backs. 
They huddle timidly around 
Upon the winter covered ground. 

Fit types are they of gentleness 



22 



SHELTERED 



Ere since, down the long centuries, 
Tlie aged son of Amoz saw, 
In bold defiance of the law, 
Unmurmuring, to slaughter led. 
With crown of thorns upon his head, 
The gentlest and most warlike Prince 
That ever ruled a kingdom since 
The rule of kings on earth began; 
As gentle to the sinning man, 
Repentant of his sins at length, 
As mighty in majestic strength 
To cunning scribe and hypocrite, 
And lawyer quoting holy writ. 
And traffickers for sinful gain 
Who the broad temple courts profane! 

These need no care; and swinging low 
The lantern o*er the creaking snow. 
On which the lighted circle glows 



23 



SHELTERED 

And wider circling, dimmer grows, 
He leaves the thick=robed, fleecy flock, 
And through the door which needs no lock 
Where all are neighbors, and no wars 
Are waged twixt laborers and lords, 
And where no crushed industrial slaves 
Fierce at their haughty masters rave. 
Nor haunted, hunted, man=made mass, 
A hopeless and despairing class. 
Deem all mankind their enemies. 
And God and man joint tyrannies, — 
Through rough, unpainted door of pine. 
On which the pitchy pine knots shine, 
He enters where low whinnying calls 
Guide to the horses in their stalls. 

These calls are not for food or care; 
For, ere their master took his share 
Of food their common labors won, 
Their simple feast was well begun 



24 



SHELTERED 



From racks filled full of fragrant hay, 
And water from across the way, 
Where, from the spring upon the hill, 
The penstock pours its steady rill 
Unfettered by the frost or cold, 
Though round its stream an icy mould 
Is ever growing, yet never grows 
To check the water as it flows, — 
But thus they speak their welcome, and 
He pats in turn with gentle hand 
Each honest face towards him pressed, 
Awaiting his sincere caress. 

To him their worth does not consist 
In prowess of famed classic steeds. 
But in rich mosaic of good deeds. 

When the warm rains and winds of spring 
The new life of the new year bring, 
They turn the furrows straight and brown, 



25 



SHELTERED 



And good seed harrow in the ground, 
And from the soft turfed meadows green, 
Where in the sun the sharp scythes gleam, 
Draw home sweet=scented loads of hay 
On top of which the children play. 

And later still, in autumn sere. 
The harvest season of the year. 
They bring in overflowing barrels, 
'Mid shouts of laughing boys and girls, 
The orchard's red=cheeked apple crops. 
And all the cornfield's golden shocks. 
And loads of pumpkins, round and yellow, 
At sight of which the cattle bellow. 
All eager in their hungry greed 
To taste their sweet and tender seed. 

The fields of grain, too, golden grow. 
And soft winds wave it to and fro. 
Until the busy harvest hands 
Tie tight the sheaves with twisted bands; 



26 



SHELTERED 



These, too, the horses barnward draw, 
Great loads of heavy fruited straw. 
Until the mows of harvest sweet 
Pile high within the rafter's peak. 
And cellars fill with precious store 
Until there is no room for more. 

But when recurs the Sabbath blest. 

Of God ordained for holy rest, 

All labor ends, and to God's house 

They draw the worshippers devout. 

From the high hill=top they plainly see. 

In the green valley far below, 

Where harvest fields and meadows grow. 

The village nestling in the trees. 

And rising clear the white church spire 

Pointing their thoughts from earthward higher, 

And churchyard lying at its feet, 

Where they in final quiet sleep 



27 



SHELTERED 



Whose devious ways on earth are done, 
And, good or ill, their courses run. 

And when the winds of winter drive 
Like swarming bees from crowded hive 
The spangled flakes of swirling snow, 
They to the frostbound forest go, 
Where, winding through the crooked tracks. 
They hear the measured stroke of axe 
On trunk of beech and birch and ash. 
Which headlong fall with frightful crash. 
And bury halfway out of sight 
In the wood's thick carpet, dazzling white. 
The sturdy giants of the wood. 
Thus slain to furnish fire food. 
In loads heaped high of trunk and limb. 
Upon the wood shod sled they bring 
Down the long slopes of the mountain side; 
An easy task, and happy ride 



28 



SHELTERED 



For muffled boys on high perched seats, 
With eyes content and crimsoned cheeks. 

And other loads, more precious still, 

Of red=cheeked girls from every door, 

And brown=faced boys a plenty more, 

To the red schoolhouse beneath the hill 

They swiftly take, 'mid tinkling bells 

And laughter echoing through the snowbound dells. 

But now, while wealth of summer's stores, 

Feeds life within the tight shut doors, 

And the great fire within the home 

Spreads warmth around, though outside moan 

The wild, weird, winter winds. 

In stalls well spread with beaten straw 

They rest, with no more loads to draw, 

Until the robin's song again 

Makes labor pleasure, and leisure pain. 



29 



SHELTERED 



And finding thus that all is right 
For the long watches of the night, 
Again he shuts the unlocked door 
And leaves behind, as oft before, 
The stillness, not of pulseless death, 
But of throbbing life at peace and rest; 
And slowly again through the starlit night. 
Scarce needing the lantern's flickering light. 
Into the vastness which lies between 
The white=robed earth and the high unseen. 
And into the silence, sublime and deep. 
In which the earth winter's vigil keeps. 
He crosses once more the winding road. 
And enters the door of his loved abode; 
And past high wood=piles in the shed, 
And corn braids hanging overhead. 
Comes into the warmth of the dying glow 
Of the open fire burning low. 



30 



SHELTERED 



Where sits the mother, her knitting done, 
Waiting only for him to come. 

Each knows, from the calm in the other's face, 
That the bairns are well and the beasts are safe; 
She puts away her needle and thread. 
And he hangs the lantern on the peg. 
For now the day's work is complete 
And time has come for them to sleep. 

Then, through that long December night, 
Until the morning's brilliant light 
Comes streaming o'er the white hill=tops, 
A perfect stillness reigns within. 
Excepting when the noisy clock 
Cries out the hours with startling din; 
The curling smoke no longer floats 
Skyward from the chimney throat. 
And in the fireplace below 
Dies the last ember's fitful glow. 



31 



SHELTERED 



While on the small square window=panes 
The frost=fairies unmolested reign, 
And fresco deep with cunning skill 
The white frost pictures at their will. 

But now, across the valley deep 

From eastern crest to western steep. 

Steals stealthily a trembling light 

Through the cheerless gloom of the frosty night, 

And timorously it whispers still. 

Through all the valley from hill to hill. 

That Day is coming, that once again 

The sun bowls up the eastern plain 

Of the heavens blue, adriving Night, 

And scattering the stars in headlong flight. 

And flashing afar, over forests and fields. 

The morning light from his chariot wheels; 

And, ere it tells it and makes retreat 

O'er the western hills with the darkness fleet. 



32 



SHELTERED 



Lo, over the tops of the eastern peaks 
The sky is painted with brilliant streaks, 
And from peak to peak is swiftly drawn 
The crimson curtains of the dawn, 
Which, richly blending, hang between 
The whitened earth and the azure sheen 
Of the vaulting sky, whose boundless shore 
Shall azure be forevermore. 
For it can know nor nights nor days. 
But gathers its blue from all the rays 
Of all the suns of the universe. 
And is not shadowed by the earth. 

But the sun stays not that the brilliant East 
May display her regal embroideries 
Like the hangings rich at Belshazzar's feast; 
He knows that, in his gorgeous train 
As he sweeps round the world from land to main. 
There follows ever the dazzling West 
In all the rainbow's splendors dressed, 



33 



SHELTERED 

And that the beauty which foreruns the light 

Is dimmed by the glory which heralds the night; 

And quickly taking the turrets white 

And the battlements of the eastern heights 

Majestic he rises through the snows, 

And full above the horizon glows! 

Then the murky gray of the moonlit night 
Glows rich with a mellow, golden light, 
And a radiance, which is never seen 
When the earth is clad in summer's green, 
Pervades the valley, and drives the shades 
From thickets deep and darkest glades; 
While all the countless crystal forms. 
With which the winter herself adorns, 
Awake as it were to greet the light. 
Decked in their flittering tinsels bright: 
The hoar=frost glitters on the trees. 
The icicles glisten on the eaves. 



34 



SHELTERED 



The pointed spangles on the flakes 
Into flashing brilliance break, 
While in the valley far beneath, 
Wrapped in its polished icy sheath, 
The lake displays its peaceful sheen 
The curving, snowbound banks between. 
Naught else appears to meet the day, 
No birds pour forth their morning lay, 
No tinkling sheep=bells on the hills. 
No falling brooks, no murmuring rills, 
No lowing cattle on the leas. 
No strident wings, no humming bees, — 
Perchance the crow's foreboding note, 
Or bark of dog from house remote. 
Seem but the silence to increase. 
And deepen the calm winter's peace. 



But ere the fully risen sun 
Shines high above the horizon, 



35 



SHELTERED 



And while the long black shadows grope 
Like sad ghosts down the eastern slope, 
The lamplight throws its feeble glow 
Through thick frost windows on the snow. 
And in the grimy fireplace 
The red flame shows its cheerful face, 
And crackles through the woody seams, 
While the tea=kettle fiercely steams, 
And in a calm, contented strain 
Sings loudly, hanging on the crane. 

Thus in the house the busy cares, 
Which love makes easy for all to share, 
Begin again their wonted round 
Where cheer and plenty and health abound. 

And in the farmyard teeming life 
Is all astir, and daily strife. 
From many a friendly battle gage. 
Is stout and clamorously waged. 



36 



SHELTERED 



From their high perches overhead, 
By their proud, plumed chieftain led, 
The hungry fowl come swooping down 
In wild confusion to the ground. 
Where, from the rough and battered pan, 
The farm lad spreads with generous hand 
The yellow corn and buckwheat gray; 
This, in an eager, noisy way, 
Tumultuously the feathered clans. 
With scarlet combs and speckled bands 
Of plumage flaunting jauntily. 
Close at his feet, undauntedly 
Devour; while, from their high perched croft. 
Or rude home in the gable loft, 
The graceful doves fly, cooing, down 
To share the feast spread on the ground. 

And near by, where the mild=eyed sheep 
Their peaceful, nightly vigils keep 



37 



SHELTERED 



In the shadows of the ruined shed, 
Appears the fierce ram's horned head; 
And round him, in a circling row, 
All his beloved seraglio, 
Intent upon their sweet repast. 
Are daintily mining deeper still 
Round tunnels in the leaning stack. 

And in the barns the long night's sleep 
Is broken by the lights which creep 
Through cracks between the boards of pine. 
And cobwebbed windows thick with grime, 
And knotholes, where the sunlight beams 
Like searchlights o'er the midnight streams. 

The dog, impatient for the day. 
Has risen from his bed of hay. 
And listens by the bolted door 
To hear his master coming o'er 
The creaking snow, and, at the sound 



38 



SHELTERED 



Of his far footsteps on the ground, 
Barks loudly forth as if to tell 
A welcome waits, and all is well; 
And at the threshold, whining, stands 
To kiss his master's friendly hands. 
And jumps about with upturned face 
In which the truest love finds place, 
And greets him with full loving eyes 
And joyous, love expressing cries. 
If men were only half as true 
As honest dogs to me and you. 
Our lives would be worth living then, 
The world would be Utopian! 

This noisy welcome at the door 

Awakes the cattle on the floor 

From dreams, perchance, of pastures sweet, 

And shady banks and cool retreats; 

They calmly lift their sleepy heads. 



39 



SHELTERED 

And, slowly rising from their beds, 
With eager looks and plaintive cries 
Implore the bountiful supplies 
Stored in the lofts and bins and bays. 
Sweet fruitage of past harvest days. 
And soon their daybreak feast is spread. 
And they are bountifully fed 
From baskets full of juicy roots. 
On top of which the farmer puts 
The handfuls rich of savory meal, 
Ground by the swift revolving wheel 
Which turns the rude old water=mill 
That stands beneath the wooded hill. 

Without delay for formal grace. 
Or watchful eyes to keep apace 
With details of propriety. 
Sure marks of high society, 
They eagerly press to the feast, 



40 



SHELTERED 



Unchecked by customs in the least; 
And battle for the truant specks 
With clashing horns and stretching necks, 
And, down upon their calloused knees, 
Their lapping tongues no remnants leave. 
Meanwhile, down from the lofty bay, 
The farmer tumbles fragrant hay. 
And generously piles it deep 
Within the cattle's easy reach; 
And this they leisurely devour 
Throughout the quiet morning hour. 

The cunning rodents, also, come 
From out their well=concealed homes. 
And, through the loosely matted hay. 
They pierce dark tunnels for a way 
To where, behind the spacious bins. 
With envied grain filled to the brims. 
With cutting teeth they dig the hole 



41 



SHELTERED 



To treasures richer far than gold. 
They feast on that they never stored, 
Like titled lords whose laps are poured 
Full high with what their serfs should keep; 
They do not sow, but only reap: 
And this, for each, correctly tells 
Why they are very Ishmaels! 

And far above the threshing floor. 
Upon the rough beams spanning o'er 
In architecture rude and strong, 
The storni=bound birds in numbers throng; 
These, in the barn for shelter warm. 
Have taken refuge from the storm 
Through wide gaps in the gable peak, 
And slyly on the high mows seek 
For toothsome bit and dainty seed 
On which they unmolested feed. 



42 



SHELTERED 



Thus good cheer reigning neath the roofs 
And rest and quietness are proofs, 
That, when the lap of mother Earth 
Of hospitality is dearth, 
Her bounty still, in generous store. 
Makes life her debtor o'er and o'er. 

At noon, when even winter's cold 
Unbroken power cannot hold 
Against the rays of midway sun. 
The cattle from the friendly stocks 
Are loosened, and the unbarred locks 
Swing wide the doors through which they go 
Out into the barnyard deep with snow; 
And soon, by thirst for water led. 
With chosen leader at their head, 
They seek the hard, well=beaten path 
On which each day they slowly pass 
With measured step and peaceful mein. 



43 



SHELTERED 



So, often, o'er the prairies green. 
Or through the gloomy, pathless shades, 
Or jungles thick or everglades. 
Tall Indians, on pleasure bent. 
Or on the cunning chase intent, 
Or in their warlike gear arrayed 
With arrow, bow and spear displayed. 
Filed slowly on, by chieftain led. 
With stately air and silent tread. 

To hidden spring beneath the hill. 
Or running brook that babbles still 
Adown the snowbound valley white. 
Now bridged with snow and now in sight. 
The trail of kine this winter day. 
Silent, pursues its winding way. 

And there the peaceful cavalcade 
Is broken up, and dress parade 
Of long white horns and level backs 



44 



SHELTERED 



Deserts the safe and narrow tracks. 

By wallowing through the fleecy snow 
To the buried spring or brook they go, 
And, bending o'er the treacherous brink, 
Enjoy the pure, copious drink 
Of water which, from day to day, 
By hidden path and devious way. 
Flows on through pasture, wood and lea 
Till lost in surging, pathless sea. 

And having quickly drunk their fill 
Naught else tempts them to linger still; 
No tender grass beside the brook. 
No cool, deep pool, no shady nook 
To shield them from the burning sun 
Until its fiery course is run 
And angrily it sinks to rest 
Behind the mountains in the west; 
But biting winds from uplands bleak 
Prompt them the beaten path to seek; 



45 



SHELTERED 

And soon again, with measured tread, 
The cattle file toward sheltering shed. 

Within the barn, to stanchions strong 
In one long row where they belong. 
Or face to face in double rows, 
To place familiar each one goes. 
Again before them piles the hay, 
Well dried by sun of summer's day, 
And rich with scent of flowers sweet 
That bloomed unnoticed at the feet 
Of statelier grass; these, fallen now 
And still unseen, perfume the mow. 

And while the herd=grass they devour 
Through the quickly falling twilight hour, 
To the swinging roost the crested cock 
Again invites his trusting flock; 
Where, with much din of scolding croaks, 
And goodnights told in gentler notes. 



46 



SHELTERED 



They find at length their resting place, 
And, breast to breast with Christian grace, 
They huddle close in peaceful rows. 
And, silent, seek their night's repose. 

Meanwhile the cat to his watch tower 

Climbs stealthily, and hour by hour 

Half dozes, yet alert is he 

His cunning, timid prey to see; 

While the sheep within the roofless shed, 

Having no need for sumptuous bed. 

Wrapped thick about in their blanket sheath 

Of fleecy wool, with mincing teeth 

Chew their sweet cuds, and close their eyes 

Beneath the cold, star lighted skies. 

Thus as the dim light fades away 
Through biting cold at close of day, 
The setting sun o'er hills of gray 



47 



SHELTERED 



Throws back the brilliant colored rays, 
And glorious beauty veils the light 
Whose dying ushers in the night. 

The lamp again shines through the panes, 
And shadows from the darting flames 
Which leap high in the fireplace 
Flit o'er the snow with ghostly grace, 
And dance among the leafless trees 
Like gibbering gnomes in ghoulish glees. 

And baffled Winter, glaring in 
With cruel eyes and visage grim, 
Beholds the peace and homely cheer 
Of the rest season of the year. 

Quick to the saddle of the winds 
In angry restlessness he springs. 
And sweeps on to the craggy rocks. 
To howl around the bald hill=tops. 
Or lurk within some bleak confines. 



48 



SHELTERED 



Or moan among the gloomy pines: — 
And leaves them where again she sits, 
The mother, rocking as she knits, 
And father, o'er his Bible bent, 
Upon its sacred truths intent. 



49 



DEC 11 1912 



A H 1 



/ 



oi 



0^ <*^_ -^5^' ^ ,-_ 







r.. 











» « » ' . ^ 














HECKMAN 

BINDERY INC. 

,^ DEC 88 



N. MANCHESTER, 
iKiniAMA iienco 



."^ .»•• 







